• Question: Would you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert and how has that helped you further your scientific career?

    Asked by anon-244771 to Struan, Charlotte, Isabel, Douglas, David on 16 Mar 2020.
    • Photo: Douglas Bray

      Douglas Bray answered on 16 Mar 2020:

      I am an introvert; personally, I don’t think that either would affect a scientific career. However, I do spend a lot of time on my own in the lab.

    • Photo: Struan Simpson

      Struan Simpson answered on 16 Mar 2020:

      Like Douglas, I would say I’m an introvert. It’s not that I don’t like speaking to people, but after a while of it I definitely appreciate some time to myself!

      Personally, I don’t think being an introvert or an extrovert matters when it comes to your career. For example, I have to go to conferences or speak to other scientists when I travel for experiments, and even though I’m an introvert I still try to talk to as many people as I can at these events and be friendly! So I think even if you’re an introvert or an extrovert, getting further in your career depends more on the quality of the work you do, and what attitude you have towards it.

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